Emblem attachment device for pocket clips

ABSTRACT

An emblem attachment device for use on pocket clips of pens, pencils, and other penlike articles, is an elongated body attached to a pen clip, having upstanding sides and an elongated slot therein, by means of a rib on the inner surface of the body with undercut edges forming lips engaging in the clip slot. The outer face of the attachment body carries appropriate-indicia, symbols, initials and the like.

United States Patent Inventor Myron B. Goldberg Aurora, Colo.

Appl, No. 5,036

Filed Jan. 22, 1970 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee Meier & Frank Merchandise Co., Inc.

Denver, Colo.

EMBLEM ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR POCKET CLIPS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,796 10/1937 Kahn 40/334 2,159,745 5/1939 Marshall..... 40/334 3,156,960 11/1964 Klitzner 24/11 Primary Examiner- Donald A. Griffin Attorney-Drake and Crandell ABSTRACT: An emblem attachment device for use on pocket clips of pens, pencils, and other penlike articles, is an elongated body attached to a pen clip, having upstanding sides and an elongated slot therein, by means of a rib on the inner surface of the body with undercut edges forming lips engaging in the clip slot. The outer face of the attachment body carries appropriate-indicia, symbols, initials and the like.

PATENTEUJUL 6197! 3590,4 11

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22 FIG. IO

FIGS FIG. 7 FIG. 9

INVENTOR MYRON B. GOLDBERG ATTORNEYS EMBLEM ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR POCKET CLIPS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to emblem devices for the pocket clips of pens, pencils and like articles More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved emblem or identification device which is readily attachable to pocket clips forming a part of pens, pencils, flashlights, and similar devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Identifying devices forming a part of the pocket clips for pens, pencils and the like, are known in the art as evidenced in U.S. Pat. No. 2,094,797, issued Oct. 5, 1939, to D. Kahn for Combined Instrument Clip and Plaque Holden" U.S. Pat. No. 2,141,991, issued Dec. 27, 1938, to D. Kahn, for Plaque Holder and Blank;" and U.S. Pat. No. 2,159,745, issued May 23, 1939, to C. E. Marshall for Insigne Insert Clip." In U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,960, issued Nov. 17, 1964, to W. S. Klitzner for Monogram Attachment" there is shown and described a monogram carrying attachment, for use with pens or pencils. A strip of ductile material, cast in a curved or bowed configuration, is formed with identifying indicia, and is inserted into a clip member having a slot therein. Lugs are formed on the ends of the ductile attachment device, and the insert is secured to the clip member by placement thereon and then' applying manual pressure to the insert so that the insert is forced from the bowed position to a generally flat position. In this manner, the lugs extend into the slot formed in the clip member to lock the insert in place.

OBJECTS OF TIIE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved emblem attachment device for use with pocket clips on pens, pencils, pocket flashlights and like devices, which emblem attachment device is inexpensive, is readily snapped into place, when mounted is positively held in place, and presents an attractive, pleasing appearance when mounted on a pocket clip.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved emblem attachment device, which is attractive, rugged, and may be utilized for mounting any desired symbol, emblem, design, initials, dates, and the like on the pocket clip.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved emblem attachment device of the foregoing character which, after being mounted on a pocket clip of a pen or the like, is securely and positively held in place with a minimum danger of subsequent displacement and loss.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an emblem attachment device of the above character which can be made of a wide variety of materials including metals, plastics and combination thereof.

SUMMARY The foregoing objects are accomplished by an emblem attrated in the various figures of the drawing. Such a device is adapted for use with a pocket clip member of the type formed as a channel with opposed sidewalls, and having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein between said walls. The sidewalls of the pocket clip are stiffly flexible adjacent the slot.

The emblem attachment embodying the invention device comprises a relatively rigid elongated body member, having an outer or upper surface adapted to receive any desired symbol, emblem, initials, device of the like. For attaching the emblem device to the clip, the device is provided, on its inner or rear surface, with a narrow, longitudinally extending rib of lesser width and extent than the body and corresponding to the dimensions of the slot in the pen clip. The rib is formed with undercut longitudinal lower edges defining longitudinally extending outwardly projecting lips adapted to be snapped under the longitudinal edges of the pocket clip slot when the emblem body is positioned in the clip with the rib extending through said slot. For facilitating the mounting of the device, the ends of the rib are slightly tapered or narrowed. Furthermore, the under surface of the emblem body conforms generally to the shape of the channel defined by the pocket clip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a pen having a pocket clip attached to the cap thereof and on which an emblem attachment device embodying the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the cap end of the pen pocket clip and attachment device shown in FIG. 1 with the pen cap being shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pocket clip and attachment device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of a pocket clip adapted to receive an emblem attachment device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a pocket clip of the type shown in FIG. 4 with an emblem attachment device embodying the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken substantially in the plane of line 643 on FIG. 5. a

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an emblem attachment device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the emblem attachment device shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of theemblem attachment device shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a section view taken substantially in the plane of line 10-10 on FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, an emblem attachment device embodying the present invention is shown as applied to a ballpoint pen or pencil, indicated generally at 10. The emblem device 11 is mounted by attaching to a pocket clip 12 secured to the pen in the usual manner. The pocket clip may of course be mounted on any appropriate device such as a ballpoint pen, ink pen, pencil, marking pen, pocket flashlight, or other similar device that is intended in a user's pocket. Such device will be categorically referred to herein as a pen 10. The pocket clip 12 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4, and includes the main body portion 14, having an out-tuned apertured mounting ear 15 on one end thereof adapted to be secured to the upper end of the barrel or cap of the pen. At the end of the pocket clip body 14 opposite from the apertured ear 15, the pocket clip is provided with an inwardly angled friction tip 16 which, when the pocket clip 12 is mounted on the pen 10, is positioned against the surface of the pen cap to provide a friction grip for engaging the users pocket. v

The pocket clip 12 is formed of relatively light gauge springy sheet metal. For mounting and holding an emblem attachment device embodying this invention, the pocket clip 12 is generally channel-shaped, with the main body portion 14 of the pocket clip having outwardly directed sloping sidewalls 18, 19. The body 14 and sidewalls 18, 19 have a generally tapered configuration as shown in the drawing, from a wider portion adjacent the mounting ear 15 to a narrower portion at the friction tip 16. For mounting an emblem attachment device,-there is formed in the body 14 of the pocket clip 12, between the sidewalls l8, 19, an elongated, longitudinally extending-slot 20. The slot, in the form of pocket clip shown in the drawing, tapers in width from a relatively wide slot at the upper end of the pocket clip to a relatively narrower slot at the lower end.

The emblem attachment device 11 embodying the invention comprises a generally elongated emblem mounting body 21 having an upper surface 22 adapted to receive appropriate initials, dates, symbols, designs or emblems indicated generally at 24. The surface 22 may be of any desired texture or configuration. Emblems may be mounted on the surface by gluing, soldering or the like, may be cast or molded directly thereon, or may be embedded in the surface.

For mounting the attachment device 11 on the pocket clip 12, the attachment body 21 is provided on its inner or rear surface 23, with an elongated, longitudinally extending rib 25. The longitudinal sides of the rib are undercut to provide elongated rib lips 26, 27 extending outwardly over substantially the length of the rib 25. The ends of the rib are slightly tapered or narrowed. The transverse end portions of the rib are rounded and are not undercut. The rear or inner surface 23 of the main body 21 of the attachment device is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the channel defined by the pocket clip body 14 and sidewalls 18, 19. In the form of pocket clip 12 shown, the sidewalls 18, 19 are outwardly sloped. A complementary slope would therefore be provided on the inner surface 23 of the emblem attachment device 11. Alternatively if the pocket clip body and sidewalls are made in a generally concave curved channel form, the inner or rear face 23 of the emblem attachment device would be correspondingly curved. Moreover, the sidewalls 18, 19 of the pocket clip 12 may extend generally perpendicularly to the body 14 of the pocket clip, and in such event, the cross section of the emblem attachment device would be generally rectangular.

In order to secure the emblem attachment device 11 to the pocket clip, the rib 25 is formed slightly wider than the corresponding dimension of the pocket clip slot 20, so that the rib lips 26, 27 snap through the slot and catch underneath the slot edges 28, 29. The pocket clip 12 being formed of resilient or springlike metal, the sidewalls 18, 19 are sufficiently resilient to allow the emblem attachment device 11 to be readily snapped securely into place. When the attachment is mounted in place with the rib 25 extending through the slot 20, the edges 28, 29 of the pocket clip slot engage in the correspond ing grooves 30, 31 formed between the lips 26, 27 and the rear surface 23 of the emblem attachment device. In this way, when the emblem attachment device has been mounted in place in the pocket clip, the lips on the rib positively engage the edges of the pocket clip slot as shown in FIG. 6, to hold the attachment securely in place.

It will be noted that once the emblem attachment device has been mounted in place, it cannot be readily removed. Removal would require the forcible spreading apart of the sidewalls 18, 19 of the pocket clip to allow the rib lips to clear the side edges of the slot 20.

The emblem attachment insert may be formed of any suitable material such as pot metal, a plastic, or other suitable material which is sufficiently rigid to withstand insertion into the pocket clip slot. The emblem attachment device may be cast with the emblem thereon, or blanks may be formed for the later mounting of symbols, initials, indicia, emblems and the like. It should be noted that a wide variety of materials may be utilized, and the device is not limited to use of ductile or bendable material. it should be further specifically noted that the emblem attachment device is formed of a'relatively rigid material, and that the pocket clip sidewalls yield sufficiently to allow the attachment device to be snapped in place. This is in contrast to the structures shown in the prior art, wherein the emblem attachment device is formed of the yieldable or ductile material whereas the clip or other mounting is stiff and of rigid nonyieldable material.

While an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been shown in the drawing and described above in considerable detail, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, equivalents and uses falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. An emblem attachment device for use with a pocket clip of the ty e formed as a channel with opposed sidewalls and having a ongitudmally extending slot formed in said channel between said sidewalls and the sidewalls being stiffly flexible adjacent the slot, said emblem attachment device comprising a relatively rigid elongated body member having an outer surface adapted to receive an emblem, is narrow longitudinally extending rib on the under surface of said body, said rib having undercut longitudinal edges defining longitudinally extending lips adapted to be snapped under the longitudinal edges of the pocket clip slot when said emblem body is positioned in said clip between said sidewalls with said rib extending through said slot whereby said attachment is securely mounted on the pocket clip.

2. An emblem attachment device as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said rib are narrowingly tapered.

3. An emblem attachment device as defined in claim 1 wherein the under surface of said emblem attachment device body conforms to the shape of the channel defined by the opposed sidewalls of the pocket clip.

'4. For use with a pocket clip of the type formed as a channel with opposed sidewalls and having a longitudinally extending slot formed in said channel between said sidewalls and the sidewalls being stifi'ly flexible adjacent the slot, an emblem attachment device comprising a relatively rigid elongated attachment body having an outer surface adapted to receive an emblem, and characterized by the provision on the undersurface of said body of a narrow longitudinally extending rib having undercut longitudinal edges defining longitudinally extending lips adapted to be snapped under the longitudinal edges of the pocket clip slot when said emblem body is positioned in said clip between said sidewalls with said rib extending through said slot whereby said attachment body is securely mounted on the pocket clip.

5. An emblem attachment device as defined in claim 4 further characterized in the ends of said rib are narrowingly tapered. 

1. An emblem attachment device for use with a pocket clip of the type formed as a channel with opposed sidewalls and having a longitudinally extending slot formed in said channel between said sidewalls and the sidewalls being stiffly flexible adjacent the slot, said emblem attachment device comprising a relatively rigid elongated body member having an outer surface adapted to receive an emblem, a narrow longitudinally extending rib on the under surface of said body, said rib having undercut longitudinal edges defining longitudinally extending lips adapted to be snapped under the longitudinal edges of the pocket clip slot when said emblem body is positioned in said clip between said sidewalls with said rib extending through said slot whereby said attachment is securely mounted on the pocket clip.
 2. An emblem attachment device as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said rib are narrowingly tapered.
 3. An emblem attachment device as defined in claim 1 wherein the under surface of said emblem attachment device body conforms to the shape of the channel defined by the opposed sidewalls of the pocket clip.
 4. For use with a pocket clip of the type formed as a channel with opposed sidewalls and having a longitudinally extending slot formed in said channel between said sidewalls and the sidewalls being stiffly flexible adjacent the slot, an emblem attachment device comprising a relatively rigid elongated attachment body having an outer surface adapted to receive an emblem, and characterized by the provision on the undersurface of said body of a narrow longitudinally extending rib having undercut longitudinal edges defining longitudinally extending lips adapted to be snapped under the longitudinal edges of the pocket clip slot when said emblem body is positioned in said clip between said sidewalls with said rib extending through said slot whereby said attachment body is securely mounted on the pocket clip.
 5. An emblem attachment device as defined in claim 4 further characterized in the ends of said rib are narrowingly tapered. 